Pastor Colin

Meet Pastor Colin, who in his first year and a half at First Presbyterian Church of Victor, has seen about 45 new members join the church. Also a songwriter and musician, he often stops the action in the office so he can play his newest song. Rules are, "You can tell me if you like it, but you can't say anything bad about it." I've never even been tempted. (By the way I can get you a copy of his CD for $10; another is coming out in the summer. Send an e-mail to office@victorpres.org).
The congregation and other staff members refer to him as "God's gift to First Presbyterian". I'd have to agree that his ministry has been a gift to the congregation and to me. It's been about eight years since I worked in a church. In fact, up until a year and a half ago, it had been nearly five years since I'd attended church with any regularity. And here I am working as the church's administrative assistant. The experience has been one of God's gifts to me.
Pastor Colin lets me do what I do best with free reign and very little criticism. If there is criticism it's pragmatically and gently given. And every piece of criticism comes with ten times as much praise and affirmation.
He's just as quick about asking for advice, suggestions and prayer concerning the difficult tasks he faces. And there have been plenty of those already this year: two funerals for beloved congregants, illnesses at home and within the congregation, tough decisions that must be made. Pastor began this morning's staff meeting by reading from a book by Max Lucado. Imagine that Jesus did everything you did today. Imagine that he took your place at work. That he watched the things you watch, read the things you read. Imagine that he did the very things on your agenda today. What would be different? Facial expressions? attitude? Jesus lived and died so he could change our heart, so that over time we become more and more like him in attitude and thought.
I think that devotional choice speaks as much about Pastor's heart, as it does about the type of "heart" he wants in First Pres (in staff, membership and leadership). Beginning with the New Year, Pastor has been emphasizing prayer, which is the only way that type of heart can be developed, because only God Himself can create clean hearts and right attitudes. I'm thinking this is also a great way to mend a broken heart, and I pray that a lot of broken hearts are mended through the ministry at First Pres--including mine.